Katy Mahand Interviews Ronda Robinson
Meet Media Maven Ronda Robinson
By Katy Mahand
People in Birmingham, Alabama may know Ronda Robinson best for the time she spent as host of Fox 6 On Your Side at WBRC but this just scratches the surface of all Robinson has accomplished in the media and communications industry. Robinson has worked in radio, tv, and public relations, and in each field, she leaves a legacy.
Originally, from Raleigh, North Carolina, Robinson went to North Carolina Central University majoring in English with a concentration in media journalism. She eventually moved to Birmingham to work for WBRC. Today, she works as the spokesperson for Birmingham’s Railroad Park and runs her own business, Carmine Communications.
Robinson started in radio as a receptionist but eventually was able to start being a radio host of the night shift of the radio station. In fact, she was working both jobs at the same time! She worked the night shift as the radio host and worked as a receptionist during the day time shift.
After leaving radio, Robinson went into investigative journalism. This wasn’t her plan when she was studying journalism in college. But she did not know much about sports and there was not a big demand for entertainment reporters in smaller cities. While she did not originally think she would be an investigative reporter, she says it was the best decision.
As she began to move into television work, she became a producer, writer, and interviewer. Robinson is most notably known for her work as a news anchor for WBRC 6 and the host of Fox 6 On Your Side. Robinson was able to bring a fresh, fun spirit to the local news station and has inspired others to begin their journey in news media.
In 2017, she began to transition from WBRC to owning her own company. She launched Carmine Communications which provides communications services to businesses such as event planning, social media management, media training, public releases, logistics, and more. While the transition was scary, she loves to help businesses with exposure and values the success of businesses. She says as a Black businesswoman, it can be tough because you are not taken seriously all the time, but she has shown her worth as a businesswoman and assertiveness in the industry. She believes it is so important for women to stand up for themselves and be their own advocate. She hopes to see more women become entrepreneurs and see more companies diversify to help Black women continue entering the field of journalism. Her advice is to take more chances and to start building a portfolio through blogs, vlogs, and a social media presence.
When she’s not working, Robinson loves to travel, watch movies, try new foods, and catch up on shows like Bel-Air and Law & Order.
If Robinson had to describe her journey in one word it would be FEARLESS.
